Four Star Comedy Fest | Navy Pier

September 28, 2012

As the saying goes, laughter is the universal medicine. If you’re in the need for a remedy to help brighten up your week, and who isn’t, then have we got the thing for you!

Navy Pier is excited to present the debut of a brand new comedy festival called Four Star Comedy Fest on Saturday, October 6! The festival will celebrate one of Chicago’s best imports: its improv comedy scene! In the spirit of such comedy greats as Bill Murray, Gilda Radner, Chris Farley, and Tina Fey, Navy Pier and The Chicago School of Comedy have put together a day of workshops and performances all centered on improvisation in its many forms.

The Workshops

For those looking to hone their skills, or perhaps dip their toes into the comedy pool, improv schools like iO and ComedySportz are offering free improv workshops. These fifty-minute classes will cover the basics and encourage participants to push themselves to the limit in an inclusive, small group setting.

Want to learn the most fundamental rule of improv? Join iO’s ‘Yes, And … And more!’ workshop. Love the show Whose Line Is It Anyway? Sign up for the ‘Let’s Play’ workshop hosted by ComedySportz and learn how to play a number of short form comedy games. There’s even a special workshop for the kids! Spots are limited so sign up today!

The Shows

If you don’t feel like standing on the stage then sit in front of it for one of the night’s exciting performances! We’ve got quite the line-up featuring top Chicago improv troupes. Here’s a small sampling of what you can expect:

5 p.m., Improv Nerd– The host of the popular podcast, “Improv Nerd with Jimmy Carrane,” will follow the normal format of his show and interview a comedy guest in a completely unscripted way.

7 p.m., Baby Wants Candy– The cast will ask the audience for a suggestion for a brand new musical and then run with it, creating a plot with original songs and choreography based off of that night’s chosen idea.

8 p.m., Cook County Social Club– This high-energy local group which has gained nationwide notoriety specializes in long-form improv, working with one idea to create a long scene with many twists and turns along the way.

9 p.m., Improvised Shakespeare Co.- This troupe takes off with an audience idea and creates an entire Shakespearian production around it, complete with drama, elevated language, and high-class insults.

10 p.m., Uncle’s Brother, featuring Tim Meadows– Tim Meadows, of SNL fame, teams up with The Second City cast members and two iO alums for an evening chock-full of laughs.

Tickets are already on sale for the day’s events; more information about prices can be found here.